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[1707.08132] Theoretical Models of Optical Transients. I. A Broad Exploration of the Duration-Luminosity Phase Space

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Abstract:The duration-luminosity phase space of optical transients is used, mostly heuristically, to compare various classes of transient events, to explore the origin of new transients, and to influence optical survey observing strategies. For example, several observational searches have been guided by intriguing voids and gaps in this phase space. However we should ask: Do we expect to find transients in these voids given our understanding of the various heating sources operating in astrophysical transients? In this work, we explore a broad range of theoretical models and empirical relations to generate optical light curves and to populate the duration-luminosity phase space (DLPS). We explore transients powered by adiabatic expansion, radioactive decay, magnetar spin-down, and circumstellar interaction. For each heating source, we provide a concise summary of the basic physical processes, a physically motivated choice of model parameter ranges, an overall summary of the resulting light curves and their the occupied range in the DLPS, and how the various model input parameters affect the light curves. We specifically explore the key voids discussed in the literature: the intermediate luminosity gap between classical novae and supernovae, and short-duration transients ( -15 mag). Finally, we explore the detection potential of optical surveys (e.g., LSST) in the DLPS and quantify the notion that short-duration and dim transients are exponentially more difficult to discover in untargeted surveys.

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[1707.08132] Theoretical Models of Optical Transients. I. A Broad Exploration of the Duration-Luminosity Phase Space

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